New England and Baltimore are the Sunday Night game for Week 16 in an AFC battle for postseason position. The Patriots are looking to lock up the AFC East title, while the Ravens are on the outside looking in but still have a chance to win the AFC North division crown.
The Patriots had their 10-game winning streak snapped by Buffalo last week, which kept the Bills alive for another AFC East title. With a one-game lead in the division, New England needs a win to hold onto it. The Patriots can clinch a playoff berth with a win or tie this week. Due to Buffalo beating them last week, the division will be decided over the final two weeks of the season.
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Baltimore has done itself no favors by losing two of the last three games, both to division foes. They’d clawed their way back into the division lead by winning five consecutive games, but now sit at 7-7, one game behind Pittsburgh in the AFC North and in ninth place in the conference. The Ravens are currently two games behind the Houston Texans, who own the final wild-card spot at this time. Baltimore’s best chance at making the playoffs this year will be through winning the division.
Patriots-Ravens start time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: M&T Bank Stadium | Baltimore, MD
TV channel, live stream: NBC, Peacock, NFL+
Follow along with Yahoo Sports for live updates, highlights and more as the Ravens host the Patriots on “Sunday Night Football.”
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Ryan Young
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Ryan Young
Tyler Huntley is in now for Lamar Jackson after he took a shot on a run there. It’s not clear exactly what’s wrong, but he looks like he’s in a lot of pain on the sidelines.
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Ryan Young
The Ravens are on the move at the two minute warning, thanks in part to a huge 18-yard toss to Charlie Kolar, and are now in scoring position at the break.
Points here for the Ravens are critical before halftime.
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Ryan Young
A huge sack and a miscommunication on a third down stalled the Patriots’ drive there, but they still settled with a field goal.
The Patriots are now in the lead for the first time tonight.
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Ryan Young
The Patriots forced a quick three-and-out there, after two incompletions and a run from Mitchell that went nowhere, so they’ll get the ball back less than a minute after their touchdown.
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Ryan Young
Drake Maye just tossed one up to Hunter Henry for the easy score to cap their 10-play drive, and this game is tied back up.
Henry was wide open in the end zone there after back-to-back deep receptions from Hooper and Hollins to get them to the 1-yard line.
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Ryan Young
Baltimore holds the early lead here at M&T Bank Stadium, though both teams have a turnover just 15 minutes in.
The Patriots will continue near midfield after the break.
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Ryan Young
The Ravens were cruising yet again, until Derrick Henry lost the ball on a short run. Hawkins punched the ball right out of Henry’s hands there.
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Ryan Young
Drake Maye got the Patriots into the red zone, and even converted on a fourth-and-1. But Marlon Humphrey just intercepted him right up against the end zone, so New England’s first drive will end without points.
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Ryan Young
No clue how Stefon Diggs held onto this, but what a grab for the Patriots star. He’s headed into the medical tent now, and seemed in good spirits on his way to the sidelines.
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Ryan Young
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens made quick work of their opening drive. Jackson found Zay Flowers for a pair of deep receptions, and then Derrick Henry ran in a 21-yard touchdown to get the night started.
They’re up 7-0 not even three minutes into this thing.
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Ryan Young
The Ravens have received the opening kick, and Sunday Night Football is officially underway in Baltimore.
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Kate Magdziuk
The New England Patriots have the opportunity to lock up their first AFC East title since the 2019 season with a win over the Baltimore Ravens on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 16.
At 11-3, the Pats are looking to bounce back after a close four-point loss to the Bills last week, coming out of the bye; the loss snapped a 10-game winning streak for New England.
The Patriots could also clinch the division with an Indianapolis Colts loss tomorrow night against the San Francisco 49ers.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
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Kate Magdziuk
With less than 90 minutes remaining until the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens kick off on “Sunday Night Football,” each team has announced its Week 16 inactives for gameday.
Here’s a look:
Patriots inactives
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QB Tommy DeVito (Emergency 3rd QB)
Ravens inactives
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QB Cooper Rush (Emergency 3rd QB)
